DULUTH,
Minn. — The rate of hepatitis C among American Indians in Minnesota is
“terrifyingly higher” than for other racial and ethnic groups, a state
epidemiologist said on Thursday. The occasion was the Health
Department’s annual release of data for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis A, B and C
in Minnesota.

The
chronic liver disease — a virus that’s often abbreviated as HCV — also
is seen at a relatively high rate outside of the Twin Cities metro area,
said Kristin Sweet of the Minnesota Department of Health.“A lot of people think hepatitis C is an urban issue,” Sweet said. “Our data do not hold to that.”Read more....